Short Term Programs

Moving Towards Social Independence
Are you the parent of a visually impaired child and need some creative solutions to further your child’s social independence? Are you aware that play based learning helps to develop communication, collaborative turn taking, and independence skills? This weekend’s program will provide you with practical solutions, through hands-on experiential learning opportunities supported by experienced instructors, to help your child move towards independence. As well, older youth will be provided with the leadership opportunity to plan and implement activities through play, with the younger group.

Children 5 to 12
+ ParentLeaders-in-Training
Aged 15+

November 21-23, 2014

Cookin’ Up a Storm!
This weekend will offer specific adaptations for visually impaired students to improve their skills and gain confidence in the kitchen. They will learn the skills necessary to have culinary success at home and in other independent living venues by preparing healthy, economical and delicious meals.Cut Throat Kitchen Cook-off Sunday Morning: Students vs Parents

Youth 14+

January 31, 2015

Thunder Bay Outreach
This is an opportunity for service providers throughout the province to connect with families in the Thunder Bay area. Programming will be tailored to fit the requests of parents based on feedback noted on the application forms received. Hands-on training, open-forum discussions, speakers and family discussions are some of the formats used in previous outreach sessions.
More details to follow.

Families

February 20 – 22, 2015

Steering Your Own Success
This weekend is specifically tailored to encourage personal growth, develop self-confidence and to build self-advocacy skills. Visually impaired role models with work and volunteer experience will address the fears and concerns common to today’s youth while offering practical solutions and encouragement to participants. Students will be coached in arranging volunteer experience and in their journey to career planning through creative outlets and self-advocacy skills.

Ages 14+

March 27 – 29, 2015

Tools for Daily Life
Concurrent programming will be planned for parents and children who attend this Short Term Program. The first will provide the parents with an environment for learning new skills, discussing challenging life skill development, and adopting new strategies to take back to their own communities. As well, parents will be encouraged to experience the challenges their child faces even in simple daily living skills. The second will provide the children with exciting new opportunities for expression through music, recreation, and play based activities.

Parents
Children 7 to 13

April 17 – 19, 2015

MUSIC for All Ages
Participants will fine tune their performance skills and add to their repertories as they sing and play familiar, as well as new, instruments. On Saturday evening, residents at a local senior’s home will be treated to a performance as will the participants’ parents on Sunday morning. The weekend is always a Big Hit!

Ages 14 and up

May 22 – 24, 2015

Pushing the Boundaries Outdoors
Enjoy the outdoors at Geneva Park on Lake Couchiching, near Orillia, Ontario. This venue will provide opportunities for connecting with other youth, building communication skills and developing self-confidence through the integrated experiential provides that will be provided. Staff at Geneva Park will provide positive and creative learning opportunities in their unique natural setting.